Two-car crash in Northeast Portland sends three people to the hospital

Three people were taken to an area hospital early Saturday morning after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into a truck in Northeast Portland, authorities said.

A 19-year-old man crashed a Honda sedan into a Dodge Durango SUV at Northeast 29th Avenue, near Northeast Lombard Street. Two passengers from the Dodge Durango and the Honda driver were taken to an area hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time, said Portland Police Bureau Lt., Robert King.

Moments before the accident, a police officer tried to pull the Honda over for a traffic violation near Northeast 29th Avenue and Northeast Killingsworth Street, King said. When the driver sped up and ran a stop sign, the officer decided not to pursue the car, King said.

Officers weigh the risk and benefits when deciding whether or not to pursue a suspect. In this case, the officer decided that the minor violation was not worth the risk a chase might pose, King said. He added that police have other methods of finding these drivers, such as finding the car's owners through license plate information.